Legislative

The Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) is legislatively engaged on both the state and national levels. IAPA collaborates with state partners as well as our national organization, the American Academy of Physicians (IAPA) to advance legislation protecting our patients and practice. The information to the right provides information about current legislation being tracked and on our policy agenda. Please contact Elizabeth Schumacher, JD, Executive Director – for more information.

Issues

Issues – Controversies have occurred by the administrators at IEMA, stating that PAs cannot facilitate procedures without a physician in the room. Their definition is from (Source: Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 3693, effective February 29, 2008)

1) Operator Restrictions. No person shall intentionally administer radiation to a human being with a fluoroscopic radiation machine unless such person is licensed to practice a treatment of human ailments under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Illinois Dental Practice Act or the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987,” …
2) An accredited medical radiographer may operate a fluoroscope as directed by, and under the direct supervision of, a licensed practitioner who is physically present and participating in the procedure;”…

The current Illinois PA State Practice Act will sunset on December 31st, 2017. The IAPA is working with the AAPA to revise and modernize the current Illinois PA State Practice Act. This process will take 2 years to complete and we will need the continued support of our members and colleagues to revise the act. Please check our website frequently for updates.

NCCPA Interferes with Illinois PA Legislation!

The NCCPA has become a huge problem in Illinois and the ILLINOIS PA PRACTICE ACT IS IN DANGER OF NOT BEING PASSED!As you may or may not know, this year the Illinois PA Practice Act will sunset (or expire) on December 31st, 2017. The Illinois Academy of PAs (IAPA) has re-written the practice act in accordance with the new AAPA modernization guidelines and is currently in negotiations with several medical organizations to gain its widespread approval. About 6 weeks ago, the IAPA learned that the NCCPA had hired 2 lobbyists in Illinois to try and make board exam certification MANDATORY for all PAs in Illinois for license renewal. This has never been a rule for Illinois PAs and in fact, is not a rule for any medical profession in Illinois including physicians or advanced practice nurses. The AAPA and IAPA follow the philosophy of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) which states that maintenance of certification and licensure should remain separate processes.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Assembly – without opposition – today approved a 10-year extension of the Illinois PA Practice Act. The legislation (Senate Bill 1585) was approved by a 57-0 vote and it modernizes the PA practice in Illinois. The bill now moves forward to the Senate and must go through the House and Governor’s Office next.

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — The Illinois Academy of PAs said today’s passage of the PA Modernization Act (Senate Bill 1585) will help improve health care for all Illinoisans.

The legislation — which received final Illinois House approval Tuesday by a vote of 116-0 — will extend the Physician Assistants’ Practice Act for 10 years until January 1, 2028. The measure has key language to help PAs bill for Medicaid and to allow PAs to provide expanded medical care to patients. The bill also improves the ratio for PAs to practice and includes clearer language on PA requirements in a hospital setting.